New University policy for English language proficiency

Published: Tuesday 28th October 2014

A new English language policy sets out ACU’s principles for developing English language proficiency. The development of English language skills is critical both to academic success and the acquisition of discipline-based discourses.

The responsibilities of staff and students are outlined in the policy, and include integrating language development through the curriculum, supporting at-risk students, and providing opportunities for acquiring professional proficiency in disciplinary communication.

The DVC (SLT) Professor Anne Cummins thanks the members of the English language working party who developed the policy. This group included representatives from each Faculty, SLT directorates and units and the ACU English Language Centres and was led by Professor Kevin Ashford-Rowe, Director, Learning and Teaching Centre.

Further cross-institutional initiatives on developing disciplinary English language proficiency are part of the Learning and Teaching Framework 2014-17 (‘Learning for Life’).